Orchids of Orissa

Contents: Preface. Introduction. Geography: 1. Physiography. 2. Geology and soil. 3. Climate and rainfall. 4. Vegetation. Ecology: 1. Distribution. 2. Orchid habitats. 3. Altitudewise distribution of species. Survey works: 1. Earlier work. 2. Present survey. 3. Method adopted. 4. Orchidrich habitats. Lifeform and morphology: 1. Lifeform. 2. Morphological diversity. 3. Growth habit. Phenology of flowering: 1. Flowering period. 2. Flowering calendar. 3. Duration of flowering. 4. Flowering pattern. 5. Flowering behaviour under culture. Status and conservation measures: 1. Status of the orchids in Orissa. 2. Suggestive measure for conservation. Systematics: 1. Classification. 2. Key to the subfamilies. 3. Placement of the genera in the classification. 4. Habitat, range, distribution, frequency, flowering period and chromosome numbers. 5. Floristic analysis. 6. Structure of the flora. 7. Morphogenic analysis of the species. 8. Growth behaviour related to phytoclimatic conditions. 9. Phytogeographical affinity. 10. Species of ornamental importance. 11. Species of medicinal importance. 12. Key to the genera based on floral characters. 13. Key to the genera based on field characters. 14. Description of species. Glossary of botanic terms. References. Index to scientific names. List of specimens examined (Appendix).

"Orchids are known for their beautiful flowers. They are also the most advanced family in the flowering plants. The botanical speciality and horticultural importance of orchids are narrated in the introduction of the book. The preface gives a picture of the earlier botanical account of Orissa.

A brief account of the geography of the state, the distribution of orchid, account of the orchidrich habitats of the state have been provided. Important aspects like the lifeform, growth habits and morphology of the Orissa orchids have been dealt in detail. The flowering period and periodicity, as observed in the field during seasonal visits, has been recorded. The present status of orchids in Orissa and measures for conservation has been suggested.

In the systematics, the taxonomy and classification of the Orissa orchids with brief keys to the subfamilies and exhaustive keys to the genera, based on both floral and field characters are provided. The floristic analysis of the species has been dealt thereafter. The enumeration of the species provides detailed morphological description of each of the 130 species, followed by their flowering and fruiting period, taxonomical notes, field notes dealing with flowering, occurrence of the species in Orissa and their distribution within and outside India. Analytical drawings of the habit and the floral organs for each species, drawn by the author from live specimens, have also been provided for every species.

The analytical drawings, the colour photographs for a large number of species and the taxonomical notes will be helpful for identification of this rather difficult group of plants." (jacket)